Erie Lackawanna Alco RS3 No. 1023 pulls a westbound train past AC Tower in Marion in December 1966. AC controlled crossings involving four railroads. Aside from the EL, trains of the New York Central, Norfolk & Western, and Chesapeake & Ohio passed by AC Tower when this image was made.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Even in the winter of 1967/1968, Mike Ondecker and I knew this was special. As far as we knew at this time, Erie Lackawanna No. 7254 was the EL’s last operating Alco FA. It is shown here on the point of an amazing lash-up that includes an Alco FA, Alco RS3, EMD F3B and an EMD F3A. This train is heading eastbound in Kent. I’m thankful to have this memory.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The wayback machine has landed us in Canton on Nov. 1, 1981, where we find Conrail 9931, an EMD-engine repowered Alco RS3, leading a westbound on the Fort Wayne Line.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The late Mike Ondecker made this image of Erie Lackawanna Alco RS2 No. 1009 in Akron in 1968. Note the Railway Express building behind the locomotive.
Photograph by Mike Ondecker
Erie Lackawanna Alco RS3 No. 1014 is shown in Akron in January 1973 at the engine facility of McCoy Street Yard. In three years the EL would be folded into Conail, which would eventually raze and remove most of the EL infrastructure in Akron.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
After seeing the article about the 2010 night photography outing with Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 at Fitzwater, it prompted me to look up my early attempts at night photography.
I found several sessions from 1984. When Dan Pluta still lived in the area, I teamed up with him, Marty Surdyk, Robert Surdyk and John Surdyk for one of those night photo shoots.
The May 26, 1984, event was arranged by Dan. At this time the RS3 that was previously on the Adirondack was operating on the Buffalo Southern (ex-Erie) out of Hamburg, New York.
We rode it six miles down to Eden to conduct our makeshift night photos using existing light and flashlights.
For a first time the results were pretty good. It’s hard to say which outing was a favorite. This and others to follow over the next week or two are probably all favorites.
Article and Photographs by Edward Ribinskas
Erie Lackawanna Alco RS3 No. 1043 is shown in Hornell, New York, in July 1973. It was built in April 1951 as Delaware, Lackawanna & Western No. 905. It would be conveyed to Conrail where it held roster numbers 5259 and 9949.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna RS3 No. 1044 is in Marion in the late 1960s passing the Marion Union Station. Behind me is EL’s Marion Yard with its diesel shop.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The late Mike Ondecker and I rode the Erie Lackawanna’s Lake Cities to Marion in December 1967 where we found RS3 No. 1008 sunning itself in the snow-covered area in front of the diesel shop.
By outward apearances Conrail 9931 looks like an Alco locomotive. It was built in March 1953 for the Central of New Jersey as an RS3. But by the time this image was made on Nov. 1, 1980, it’s Alco power plant had been replaced by one built by EMD.
It is shown on the Fort Wayne Line in Canton at McKinley Tower were Conrail crossed the Chessie System branch to Mineral City. This was a Baltimore & Ohio route and much of it has been abandoned south of here.
This line, which is partly visible to the right of the locomotive nose, continued north to Akron and Cleveland and is used today by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad between Akron and Independence.
The tower is partly visible in the upper left hand corner.
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